JIMWAT’S MOTIVATION FOR MAKING OF THE ”UNDER 18” HIT SONG

Jim Wathigo Mburu widely recognized as Jimwat, previously held a position of considerable prominence within the realm of Kenyan artistry. His hit song called ”Under 18” has managed to sustain its relevance even after the passage of several years.

Source: Standard Media

Emerging into the limelight as a teenager can be a make-or-break situation for an individual. For specific individuals, it presents itself as an enigmatic blessing, and for Jimwat, it manifested as a dual-edged experience. His ascent to fame transpired while he was merely in Form Three, subsequent to recording his debut track, ‘Sema Nami Sweetie.’ Interestingly, the song’s official release was postponed until after the completion of his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education(KCSE) examinations.

” I recorded my first song at Calif Records with Clemmo and Juacali but they did not release the song until I finished my high school education. I was just in Form Three at that time. The reception I got from the song is what motivated me to work on more hit songs. I was in awe of how people related to my songs and this helped propel my career,” he says.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LHs7M9uju0

” The fame that came after the release of my first song was overwhelming. I wrote ‘Under 18’  as part of the advice we used to get from Clemmo’s parents as the first Calif records studio was in their living room. After daytime recordings, the studio would be converted into a tuition area so there was an inside joke ‘ Chunga hawa ni ma Under 18 wanakuja tuition’. It was also part of a story of a personal relationship I had,” he recalls.

After enrolling in college for Graphics and Design, his music career skyrocketed, causing him to drop out before graduating. However, following his accident, he heeded his family’s advice and returned to school to obtain his Diploma at the Academy of Graphic Technologies. This eventually led to a one-year job as a graphic designer in an office. Jimwat later fell into alcohol and he became reliant on it.

He is now channeling his personal struggle with alcohol addiction into his music and also raising his daughter.

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